Cichlids (SICK-lid) are the shining stars of the freshwater aquarium hobby due in large part to their unique colors, behaviors, and parental styles. Cichlids from all areas of the world are discussed here so ask away.

Sorry for my virtual absence! First, a quick and obligatory "WAAAAHHHH!!!!!" that my favorite magazine, for what I am sure is sound economic reasons, is going to every other month. TFH has been a monthly companion, whether I have been active in the hobby or not, while at school, at sea, or overseas since the late '80s. I will adjust, and I look forward to seeing it every other month for decades to come.

Now on to business...

My little boy's pre-school had 5 x juvenile African cichlids in a 10 gal aquarium. Not good for fish, not good for soon-to-be-traumatized toddlers. We had been considering a Rift Lake tank for years, so we used this an excuse to get going. In exchange for 6 x small rasboras, I took the cichlids and plopped them in a 26 gal flat back hexagon I pressed into service. Equipment on hand included a hang-on-the back power filter rated for a 55 gal tank.. The bottom is 1"-2" of smooth, moderate sized gravel. I also popped in 7 x small clay flower pots. Before taking possession of these guys, I checked with the LFS, and they successfully keep their African in local tap water, which tends to be neutral with moderate hardness. The little fellows are eating the flakes, pellets, and freeze dried foods I provide, so all seems well. I am not normally an impulse buyer when it comes to fish, but time seemed of the essence. Cash is a bit low right now, so I just want make sure I have the basics to keep these guys happy for now. I have a 55 gal I can press into service later, hopefully with a more considered aquascape.

The harder part is the Fish ID. All the critters are juveniles. Two are a lovely lemon yellow (Neolamprologus Leleupi, perhaps?), two are gray with several stripes (no clue); and one is cream with a dark horizontal stripe (Julidochromis sp, maybe?).

I won't pretend the pictures are good, but here they are. Even a ballpark guess as to what I took in will help us along:

Quick update on this (Sorry for the absence...Internet Failure+Holidays=Dilatory Updates):

Anyway, the Horizontal Stripe Guy didn't make it. He fell, probably to bullying, after I set up some clay pots and a "reef" of river stones (See the picture below):

Everyone else is growing and doing pretty good. The "Yellow Fellows" have developed black edging to their dorsal fins. The larger of the two also has a black edge on its ventral fin and black pelvic fins. I am going with some sort of Pseudotropheus sp. The "Vertical Stripe Critters" are just bigger. No clue what they are.

It is a first, if accidental, foray into African cichlids for us, and I have to say we are enjoying them!

Thanks, Lisachromis. I am sorry I couldn't ID him earlier. He would've been right at home in my display tank or my tub pond, I think.

In the meantime, the Vertical Stripe Critters are starting to elongate. One is "coloring up" with an electric blue head. Both have developed a whitish band on the dorsal fins, with the bluer one's band much more distinct.

One Yellow Fellow likewise has more distinct coloration in the form of black edging on his dorsal and ventral fins.

Despite the loss of the krib, the project is a relative success. The rasboras I bought for the pre-school are doing fine, and their success inspired another parent to sponsor a similar, appropriately stocked tank.

Thanks. I'll look for and add some larger rocks, too. Also, the krib died some time ago before I knew what it was. This was unfortunate, as it would've been right at home in any of my other tanks.

On the upside, my daughter saw a half dozen little yellow fish poking out of the crevices of the river stones! I guess they must be recent releases, as they were not around when I rearranged the tank. The grey presumed female did not have bulging mouth today, and "she" resumed eating. In short, I have a piscine soap opera of sorts, as I have no idea what is what and who is spawning with whom.

I regret the miss-ID that led to the loss of the krib, to be sure, but at least having the other four grow to sexual maturity and spawn vindicates my decision to liberate them from a 10 gal tank at a pre-school and at least take the crack.

With Rift Lake Cichlids it's quite hard to do. Some will make a bee line for the rocks soon as you approach, unlike mine which zoom to the front of the tank (this will happen shortly) expecting to be fed.

I find them rewarding and relatively easy fish to care for, once you have the essentials worked out.

Getting caught up cruising the forum today after an absence! A week ago, we spotted a new generation of fry darting among the rocks. I guess we did something right! This may force our hand to get a canister filter in order to press our empty 55 gal. into service for a our "Random Rescue Cichlid Tank" (Darn... ). Everyone is still pretty small, so the 26 should hold for a while yet. The new tank, when it goes up, will be on our lanai, which should help with the aufwuchs the fry seem to enjoy.

Imagine...Cold beverage...sunset over the mountains...rift lake cichlids off to the side...and a pond with a train rolling by...in JANUARY!

Thanks to all for their help in this rescue mission. Updates to follow as required!